LE SSERAFIM SPAGHETTI Explained: The Perfect Blend of Pop and Hip-Hop

"Spaghetti" might seem like an unusual title for a pop song, but LE SSERAFIM's latest release brings this culinary concept to the K-pop world with striking confidence. Despite being a single album, LE SSERAFIM and HYBE clearly mean business with "Spaghetti," which premiered on October 23, 2025.

Not only does the track come bolstered by multiple remixes and alternate versions, but it also features a significant collaboration with J-Hope of BTS, who contributed as both a co-writer and featured artist. This strategic release showcases the group's ambition while raising an important question: beyond the business savvy approach, does the music itself deliver? Surprisingly, J-Hope's verse stands out remarkably well, though some might wonder if his scene-stealing performance overshadows what should be LE SSERAFIM's moment to shine. With bold lyrics like "Stuck between your teeth, that's SPAGHETTI", the song certainly aims to make a lasting impression on listeners.

The sound of Spaghetti: A genre-bending experiment

LE SSERAFIM's "SPAGHETTI" delivers a fresh sonic experience through its alternative funk pop composition. Released on October 24, 2025, this genre-bending track marks a deliberate expansion of the group's musical territory.

Segmented structure and shifting tones

The song's structure cleverly mirrors its culinary theme, offering distinct "courses" that showcase different flavors. Each member delivers the catchy "eat it up" hook in their unique style, creating a segmented yet cohesive listening experience. Huh Yunjin, who participated in the song's production, explains that this approach was intentional: "I wanted to express that interesting, obsessive, addictive moment between love and hate". This creative direction results in a track where tones shift between playful and assertive throughout.

The blend of pop and hip-hop elements

"SPAGHETTI" masterfully combines pop accessibility with hip-hop edge. The rough voices of the five members create a foundation that's both catchy and bold. Furthermore, J-hope's stylish rap segment adds another dimension, complementing rather than overpowering the group's energy. This careful balance creates what Kazuha described as vocals that are "a bit sassy but [still] cool", establishing a signature sound that stands apart from their previous releases.

Why the production stands out in 2025

The production distinguishes itself through its metaphorical approach, comparing LE SSERAFIM's lingering presence to "spaghetti stuck between teeth". Essentially, this playful concept translates into a sonic experience that's deliberately designed to stick in listeners' minds. Unique lyrics like "SPAGHETTI stuck between your teeth / Want to remove it? Bon appétit" paired with the addictive melody showcase how LE SSERAFIM continues pushing boundaries in 2025's musical landscape. As Kim Chaewon notes, this ability to take on diverse concepts demonstrates how much they've "grown, and this process itself has been a key part of shaping and solidifying our unique color as a group".

J-Hope’s feature: A surprise that works

J-Hope's collaboration with LE SSERAFIM on "SPAGHETTI" represents one of 2025's most unexpected crossovers in K-pop. The BTS member's participation adds significant weight to what was already an ambitious release from the quintet.

How J-Hope fits into LE SSERAFIM's sound

J-Hope's distinctive flow meshes seamlessly with the track's funk-pop foundation. His section maintains the song's bold energy yet introduces a contrasting vocal color that enriches rather than disrupts the overall composition. His rap style—characterized by crisp enunciation and rhythmic precision—complements the group's "sassy but cool" vocal approach mentioned in their concept notes. Moreover, his participation feels organic instead of forced, primarily because the song's hip-hop elements provide natural space for his contribution.

Does he overshadow the group?

Although J-Hope brings star power to "SPAGHETTI," the track remains fundamentally a LE SSERAFIM production. Each member retains their identity throughout the song, with J-Hope's verse functioning as an enhancement rather than the focal point. His section occupies approximately one-fifth of the song's runtime—substantial enough to make an impact without dominating the narrative. Additionally, the production team wisely positioned his feature after establishing the group's presence in the opening segments.

Impact on the song's reception

J-Hope's involvement significantly broadened "SPAGHETTI's" reach beyond LE SSERAFIM's existing fanbase. Subsequently, this collaboration introduced many first-time listeners to the group's distinctive musical style. On social media platforms, discussions about the unexpected pairing generated considerable buzz, effectively expanding the promotional footprint beyond traditional marketing channels.

Lyrics decoded: Food metaphors and fearless attitude

Behind "SPAGHETTI's" catchy melody lies a clever web of metaphors that turn an ordinary pasta dish into a statement of defiance. The lyrics, co-written by Huh Yunjin, emerged from a unique concept she developed from the beginning—something she described as "an honor" to lead.

Breaking down the chorus and hook

The chorus revolves around the repetitive "eat it up" hook, deliberately designed to be stuck in listeners' minds. Each member delivers this phrase in their distinctive style, adding playfulness to the track. During this hook, a retching sound appears in the background, and members mimic vomiting in the choreography—a bold visual choice that reinforces the song's unserious yet pointed nature. The central metaphor compares LE SSERAFIM to "spaghetti stuck between teeth" and later as "bad bitch in between your teeth," creating an image of something impossible to ignore.

Diss track elements and confidence

Beneath the fun exterior, "SPAGHETTI" functions as a light diss track aimed at critics. Lines like "Yeah, you just say you hate it, what happened to your diet? Sneaking a bite when no one's looking, you better stop lying" directly challenge the hypocrisy of haters who claim dislike yet consume their content. According to Yunjin, this represents the "interesting, obsessive, addictive moment between love and hate," where supposed critics become regular consumers. The lyrics reclaim ridicule by transforming tomatoes—traditionally thrown at disliked performers—into something people crave.

Controversial lines and fan interpretations

Netizens quickly identified the song as hitting back at haters, particularly appreciating how it frames criticism as obsession. The message suggests critics are "running back" despite claiming dislike—effectively exposing the contradiction between stated opinions and behavior. Many fans interpreted this as LE SSERAFIM's first direct response to the intense criticism they've faced, especially following controversies in April 2024. Particularly noteworthy is the transformation narrative suggested in the line "Ok now, from hater to believer," which closes the track on a triumphant note rather than a defensive one.

Reception and identity: A polarizing release

Unlike previous releases, "SPAGHETTI" has divided the K-pop community completely. The song topped Billboard's new music poll with an impressive 77% of the vote, yet simultaneously struggled on Korean charts, reportedly falling to 72nd place on Melon's daily chart after initially climbing to 6th.

Mixed fan reactions and comparisons

International netizens quickly accused LE SSERAFIM of chasing KATSEYE's quirky style seen in "Gnarly". One critic harshly tweeted, "It physically hurts seeing artists try to create a brand just because brat went viral". Conversely, defenders pointed out that the members had teased elements of this concept earlier in the year, before "Gnarly" was even released.

Concerns about LE SSERAFIM's musical direction

Many longtime followers expressed worry about the group's evolving identity. Critics argued that "starting with 'Easy,' even the concept direction feels lost". Notably, some see the group as becoming "an experimental group" where "the group's distinct identity is completely gone". Fans debate whether this shift represents growth or inconsistency.

Replay value and long-term impact

As Kim Chaewon explained, this album showcases "a new side of LE SSERAFIM" that demonstrates "how much we've grown". In fact, this polarizing quality appears intentional—as one Reddit commenter noted, "a really polarizing song and not everyone is gonna like it" is "pretty much what you can expect with every Le Sserafim comeback".